John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, As Stated by White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is expected to be deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and appointed loyalists in their place. The newly constituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for extensive repairs and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a Washington-based performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory.
This report is being updated. More details will be provided shortly.
